Gulf smiles at the gift he got from his beloved husband; an engraved portrait on a shiny silver shield. Gulf has never seen such a beautiful thing ever. He is enthralled by the beauty and every time he looks at it, his reflection will fit right next to his handsome Emperor's stoic face.

Death of a loved one can do that you. His husband's old pictures in the magazines were so happy and smiling but it stopped once his Father, the late Emperor passed away.

Gulf knows that pain.

Gulf lovingly rubs the cheek of the picture as if that would make the man on the shield smile.

"I am here for you, P'Mew." Gulf gently presses a kiss on the man's lips and frowns when his lips leave a blotch on the metal. He quickly rubs it away with his silk sleeve.

Nothing shall mar his husband's magnificence.

Now he is aware why his mom has been saying patient and willing.

He shifts and sighs in relief when it does not hurt as much as before. Gulf was so scared when he woke up alone after their night together as husband and wife. He felt truly and utterly alone.

His heart was beating so fast, for a few moments he was afraid he was going to die because of heart palpitation.

When he somehow managed to get back to normal, he had tried to stumble to his room but fell on the floor because of pain.

It was horrifyingly excruciating.

Patience, Gulf.

Willingness, Gulf.

Then he saw blood all over his lower body and he was so scared that he ended up crying in the cold bathtub. Everything was hurting and he felt in need of a hug.

And the boy who was always so happy in solitude felt so scared of loneliness at that moment.

For several days, he did not hear or see from his husband and all those days, Gulf had cried himself to exhaustion and sickness without drinking or eating anything. Until he knew the Emperor was in an official emergency visit to another province which was on the verge of a war with neighbouring province.

Gulf felt so guilty. His husband was on a responsible mission to save hundreds of lives and he was here being a shallow wife.

The healers had nursed him back to health and Gulf had cooperated by taking all the meals delivered to him.

His husband is an Emperor and as his wife, Gulf also has responsibilities. Sometimes the responsibility is giving your loved one space.

The first thing he received on his husband's return was this beautiful metal shield that has his husband picture and signature. So, what if his husband is still too busy to visit him? He remembered his promise to Gulf and gifted him with something he had asked a very long time ago.

Gulf has never been so happy in his life as a wife.

Gulf even has found the ideal spot for 'P'Mew' to sit. Right next to his window; so when the Sun God raises, the purple deep light of the early morning will fall on his husband's handsome face and reflects on Gulf.

That is how he wakes up all these days. And he always wakes up with sweet smile seeing his husband's face looking at him.

If he could have this for rest of his life; Gulf does not mind the pain and blood after his 'willingness'.

It is just that he cannot move so freely for the first week. Some muscles will always pull and slows him down... but it is okay. He had made his husband so happy... and that is what he is living for.

The heavy knocks of his guard's staff on his door jolts Gulf from thought lanes.

Gulf has never seen this big man's face but seeing him will always make Gulf smile behind his palm.

He is only 'friend' Gulf truly has in this whole palace filled with people that would fit a small village. His 'friend' does not really speak but Gulf knows he can count on him.

"It is not lunch time yet, Royal Guard." Gulf softly says.

"Empress, the letter you have sent to your mother has returned... Your mother declined... to officially receive this royal letter."

Gulf gulps down his pain.

"Mother must be..."

"May your loyal servant speak to you, My Empress?"

"You can always speak to me, Royal Guard... I have already told you several times." Gulf's voice is barely audible.

"If you please inform our Supreme Commander, His Majesty, the Emperor, he can overrule this official declination and your mother will have to accept all your Royal letters, Empress."

"And then what, Royal Guard? This is not a Royal Official Scroll with political directives or a court summons. This is a personal letter from a son to his... mother. Well, I am not a son anymore, aren't I? I am a wife; The Empress. If she does not want to read, then forcing her will not make a difference, Royal Guard. Thank you for returning my letter."

"We can also make her write you a reply." Royal Guard blurts out and Gulf chuckles behind his palm ignoring the tears in his eyes.

"It is never the words, Loyal Friend, it is the emotions that make it personal. My mother does not have that in her anymore. Forced words are just noise. I would rather never hear it."

The Royal Guard kneels down to show his respect. His voice is always so monotonous but he shows more respect to Gulf than anyone ever had.

"I am at your service anytime, anywhere, Wise Empress. Your servant is troubled not to be of any help to you, Empress."

"You are of all the help to me in this... palace. Excuse me, Royal Guard. I need a moment to myself." Gulf quickly scurries back to his bed and waits for the door to close.

When he hears the heavy thud of the guard closing the door, Gulf's tears drip to the unopened letter with Royal Seal.

A letter filled with worries of a deflowered virgin in pain.

He needed help, advice and above all some loving words that things are okay; that Gulf is loved and his mother is aware that he has done his duty as a wife with patience and willingness.

He tears the letter into two and throws the bits to the crackling fire pot. They fall below the pot mocking Gulf that he is a failure even in forgetting that he is a failure.

Gulf glares at the proof that he has no family outside his wedded one. When stomping his foot on the floor does not bring any dullness to his pain, the poor boy falls to his bed back again and screams his heart out into the pillow.

Is being a wife, a punishment to his existence?

Gulf is not really happy that he has not seen his husband; he is just understanding it for his husband's happiness and peace of mind.

Now, his mother does not want to hear from him anymore.

It is okay, Gulf. All good wives are this way. Do not be a shallow one ever.

"I am okay, P'Mew. I have you now. I am sorry for being such a cry-baby over silly matters." He sniffles looking at his husband's picture and wipes his tears with a wobbling smile.

He takes a pot full of water infused with Marlown Hyacinth flower petals and washes his face thoroughly. How exotic are they? All hyacinth flowers in their planet grow in water but Marlown is the only species that thrive on top of mountains. They bloom only at night and known to be Moon Goddess' favourite flowers.

Speaking of flowers...

The heavy knocks of his guard's staff on his door makes Gulf frown again. It must be lunch time but Gulf is not hungry.

He sighs.

"Yes, Royal Guard?"

"The Emperor has asked for an audience, Empress."

Gulf barely remembers to cover his face before smiling. "Right away!" He quickly walks out to the King's bedroom but his husband is not there.

"In the military chamber, Empress. Please allow your humble guard to show you the way."

Gulf nods eagerly and follows the Guard and for the first time ever knows there is a military chamber right opposite to the residential block.

P'Mew is sitting one leg over top of the other knee on a jewelled chair.

"My Liege." Gulf's whole face blooms with adorable shade of baby pink except his ears that flames red. Gulf ducks his head and bits his lip, so his ugly smile will not peek through.

He is so happy to see his husband, after several days of absence. He has not seen his man after the day of...

Gulf gulps; already forgetting his pain of his mother not receiving his letter.

He gently peeks up and notices P'Mew is busy with some papers.

"Heard that you have been troubling my servants asking about my whereabouts."

Troubling?

No.

He only asked once and that was to Mypee and she said Gulf can look around himself in the palace searching for Mew.

No, he accidently asked the healer too where his husband was when he tried to force a stinky concoction down his mouth.

So two times.

"I am sorry, my Liege. You were not coming to your bedroom to sleep."

"How is that any of your concern?"

Gulf does not reply. Thankfully, the huge scary man who follows P'Mew is not here today or he will shout at Gulf to speak up.

"Did you not receive what I had approved?"

Gulf's mind comes up blank then he remembers the beautiful portrait his husband has gifted him.

"I have, my liege." Gulf nods and hides his smile behind his palm.

"I hope that has brought you happiness." P'Mew flicks some more papers before signing.

"It has. Very much, My Emperor. You've been very kind to me." Gulf wants to jump around P'Mew and shower him with kisses.

"Hmm... I am glad. You may leave now."

Gulf pouts. He wants to talk some more. He has not seen this man for long and he wants to know how P'Mew has been. Especially with a war threat, his husband will be really worried.

"Do you have something to say, Gulf?"

"Uhm... I... I heard... that there is a war threat in Paya province. I hope everything is okay, now..." Gulf talks to his own thigh but the paper rustling stops for a moment before starting again.

"Maybe you should mind your own style of business and do not meddle into affairs that does not concern you, Gulf. Your position in this palace is secure... if that is what you are worried about."

Gulf is sad. He should have just kept his mouth shut. Now, he just irritated his husband again.

"Do you want something else?"

Gulf almost shakes his head out of habit but then he thought of flowers... maybe.

"Your Highness..."

"Of course, never satisfied." Mew mumbles and Gulf worries. "Spit it out."

"The... the flower festival is tomorrow..." Gulf nibbles his lips and blushes when Mew stares at them for a moment.

"I am aware, yes."

"Mmm... maybe... maybe... we..."

Married couples give each other gifts and most importantly a particular flower that reminds them of their spouse. The tradition has changed a lot over the years. Now, people just shower each other with any flowers they could get hands on. Gulf sees nothing wrong with that but newlyweds still give each other one flower.

This is their first flower festival and maybe...

Gulf already has a flower in his mind.

"I have not got all day waiting for your pathetic self to speak up, boy. On with it."

Gulf feels bad. Sounds like his husband is tired and stressed.

"It is customary for husband and wife to give each other flowers that reminds them of the other. I was hoping... if you are not tied to political responsibilities tomorrow... we can..."

Mew stands up and Gulf flinches, hiding his wrists.

"You have some nerve, Gulf. I can give you that."

Gulf does not know what that means.

"I am not going to be there with you tomorrow... or any days for that matter. I am not someone to..." Mew waves his hands and Gulf's eyes dim with sadness. "I am already invited somewhere. I will be there."

"Oh... okay... my liege. I understand."

"Then again I do not think you want to know what flower reminds me of you."

There is a flower?!

Gulf wants to giggle so bad. There is a flower that reminds his husband of him... Gulf covers his face with his both hands feeling shy and happy and... in love.

He loves his P'Mew so much. He wishes he can shout out to all the worlds up and above.

There is a flower for Gulf.

"Want to know?"

Gulf nods vehemently.

"Really?"

"Yes, my Emperor. I would love to know..." Who would not want to know what their husband thinks of them.

"Yellow Cruzhayles."

Gulf has not even heard of such flower. It must be really really exotic and it is a flower, so it must be... so beautiful too.

His husband calls him ugly but he now knows that it is not the case.

His husband is playing with his heart.

"Crushaalas."

"Dimwit! Crus-hy-lis. Yellow Cruzhayles."

"Cruzhayles, my liege?" Gulf looks up reminding himself not to smile.

"Yes. Happy?"

Gulf nods.

"Pathetic." Mew leaves the room but Gulf is over the moon.

Yellow Cruzhayles. Mew thinks Gulf is an exotic flower like Yellow Cruzhayles.

He covers his face with happy giggles and blushing face. His husband is such a dork.

But he loves him so much.

Gulf hugs himself tight, thinking Mew is trapped inside, squished to his chest.

"I love you, P'Mew."

"My Empress." Gulf stops hugging himself with a small squeak, mortified.

His guard is kneeling at the entrance waiting for him to go back to room.

"I was just... just... you know..."

His Royal Guard nods his metal head and starts walking.

Gulf gladly skips behind the tall man feeling himself loved as a wife.

P'Mew loves him a lot and maybe this time his journal will be truly happy to get some happy news written on it.

Gulf covers his mouth and giggles again.